Civil Partnership in Manila UK Embassy and Visa Application

Hi Everyone,

I have already read some of the threads regarding the visa application.

But in order for me and my fianceé to make sure that everything will be in order, I want to post my own thread.
------------------------------------------
I went to UK last September 2015 for a Tier 2 Working Visa then I went back last November 2015 in the Philippines.

I met my fianceé on that period and we plan to get married early next year in UK since same sex marriage is not legal in PH.

I am now trying to start with the Fiance Visa Application. These are the following requirements that is on our list now.

1. Certificate of Sponsorship (for my Fianceé's end so we would not need to do the financial settlement on my end.)
2. Recent recorded conversations/emails/messages as proof of genuine relationship and proof that we plan to get married and live together in UK.
3. UK Visa application form.
4. Exemption on English test since I am holding a Bachelor's degrees in Mathematics Major in Computer Science. Or if it's an easier processing to take the English test then I will do it otherwise.
5. TB testing.
6. And personal documents like CENOMAR, birth certificate.

Are we missing something?
Please advise whether we need legal help or if we could do it ourselves to save money.

Thank you very much.

You will need to provide details of accommodation to prove you have a suitable place to live together. Also your fiancee will need to provide proof of earning over £18,600 per year.

The English test needs to be level A1, which is such an easy level that it may be just as easy to take one rather than trying to prove you don't need it.

Forget about Cenomar. It's just a Philippines document that mens nothing in the UK. It's just another way of getting you to pay money for something.

It's not needed, but if you already have one then you may as well include it.

Thank you so much Maharg.
I have additional questions.

Do we need to seek legal advices and do all the documents like Certificate of Sponsorship need to be notarized?
Or we could submit all those filled forms directly during Visa Application.

I don't know about a certificate of sponsorship. It's not something that we included in our own application.

You will need a copy of your fiancees passport, which it is best to get certified as a true copy. Most solicitors will do that for between 5 to 10 quid.

It doesn't need to be notarized.

You can do the whole thing without legal help. It isn't required, although it can be useful if your application has complications rather than being straight forward.

As far as I know there is no difference in requirements for a same sex and an opposite sex application.

Thanks. What is the best document that we can give them for the proof of geniune relationship and plan to married.

A provisional booking at a registry office is a good thing to have. (You can't make a full booking as you need to give notice together)

You need some photos of you together and with family and/or friends.

Plus correspondence between you, such as emails, chat logs etc

And you should both write a cover letter describing your relationship, such as how you met, how you feel about each other, things you have done together and so on.

I see. One thing that we were not able to do is take pictures. ☺☺☺
But I think we could do the provisional booking and conversation logs.
Thank you very much Maharg.

To be honest, not having pictures might cause you problems. It's a very key part of everything.

It may even be worth meeting up again before applying so that you can make sure you have pictures. It's very much a part of proving that you have met in person.

there is no such thing as a certificate of sponsorship.

when you make your online application for the visa--you will also need to print off and hand write the sponsorship appendix form---
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/270484/VAF4A-Appendix2.pdf

you can read through it all now--and ask any questions. most of the answers will be from your sponsor.

Hi Bigmac.
Yes. That is what we are referring to.
Thanks for your response.

Does this sponsorship satisfy the requirement for the financial support and accomodations?

No. You will need to prove that in your documentation.

I would seriously suggest meeting again before applying so that you can have photographs together though.

Hello Orb welcome aboard British Filipino

If you haven't already reviewed the UKVI webpage for settlement route visa's then I'd suggest both you and importantly your partner do so.

Here's the link :-
https://www.gov.uk/join-family-in-uk/overview

You don't need to engage the services of an immigration specialist unless there are complications or a major weakness in your application.

I'm confused by the thread title. The poster is a male. He refers to "fiancee" which by definition is female (fiance being the male equivalent). Are you both the same sex? There is no such thing as same sex marriage. There is a the concept of civil partnership but marriage can only be performed between two people of the opposite sex. That being said the UK marriage visa can also apply to people intending to register a civil partnership but I think it's important to get our terms straight.

Sorry, John, you are mistaken:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/30/contents/enacted

Well well. You live and learn. I didn't realize that the legislation had altered... Feels free to ignore my earlier comment.

eh ? where do you get 2 years from ?

Whoops! Sorry - I had read "2015" as "2005"

yes--but i cant see theyve been together 2 years ?

Hi OrB

To answer each of your questions on an exception basis...

1. By Certificate of Sponsorship, I assume you are referring to documents SU07? SU07 is really only for Adult Dependant Relatives and not for a Fiance Visa application. Your sponsor need to write a supporting letter instead - saying how you met, the status of your relationship and agreeing to sponsor you.

4. In order to get exemption from the English Language test, your degree must have been taught at an institution that is recognised by NARIC and the degree you have must be recognsed as a degree by NARIC and not just a diploma. I think NARIC charge around £80 for this service, whereas taking the UKVI test is around £150 I think. Persoanlly speaking I would opt for the English Language Test as it is definitive proof you took the test yourself as your biometrics are taken.

6. You do not need a CENOMAR to get married in the UK.

Hi Maharg. Thanks for your response.

We decided to see each other on April to have some pictures together.
He will be going to Philippines for holidays.

I saw an option that we could actually get married here.
Is it possible? Gay marriage is not legalized in Phils but it seems that UK embassy could allow us to do it.

But if not, I guess having pictures after his visit will secure my fiance visa application already.